Hitmen 14U Win USSSA Quest for the Best in Prince George, VA

The McLean Hitmen 14U team out of Northern Virginia won the 15th Annual Quest for the Best USSSA Open Division tournament this past weekend in Prince George, VA, besting a 10 team field.  The Hitmen locked down the number 1 seed after a day of pool games by allowing 1 run defeating the Mules (Powahatan) and the Virginia Generals (7-0 and 5-1, respectfully).  The seed earned the team a bye into the Semi-finals where they rolled the Mules 14-8 and in the finals put the mercy on the Metro Gladiators 14-2 in four innings.  Pitching was the rule for Saturday where Same Poggiolio threw a complete game (Mules) and James Beahn and Matt Plaza combine in another gem in the night cap (Generals).  In bracket play, Sunday changed the focus to the offense.  In both the semifinals and finals the Hitmen jumped on opposing pitching each scoring at least 9 runs by the time the second inning was completed.  From there was a matter of closing each game out with a continue onslaught of hitting and base running pressure.  The offense was more than balanced; both games double digits hits with at least half a dozen doubles in each game.  The pinnacle of the championship game was a three run blast by Grant Williams.  The team’s roster includes; James Beahn, Tyler Campbell, Jack Kelly, Kenny Lippman, Grant Williams, Owen Ricketts, Sam Poggoili, Connor Freeman, Clint Wheeler, Matt Plaza, Carter Bosch, Thomas Riley, Eli Thrasher, and John Merlene and coached by Russell Pahl, Donny Michael and Jim Amonett.